We Found the Best Canned Clam Sauce to Buy

Linguine with clam sauce is underrated. I know it’s popular, but it deserves to be more of a weeknight staple. Briny clams, garlicky oil, a sprinkling of parsley—it’s so satisfying and really makes you feel like you’re dining on the Amalfi coast, even if you’re just shoving it into your face on the couch. And, thanks to canned clam sauce, it’s extremely easy to make. Really, all you need to do is boil some noodles. 

Of course, it can’t just be any old canned clam sauce. A lot of the canned clam sauce brands out there are not good. How do I know? I tried six brands of canned clam sauce—mostly canned white clam sauce but also one canned red clam sauce—in search of the best canned clam sauce to buy. 

How we taste tested canned clam sauce

I cooked up some linguine (Rao’s linguine, to be precise), divided it into bowls, and tossed the pasta with each canned clam sauce. 

What we looked for in the best canned clam sauce   

I wanted a briny clam flavor that wasn’t overly oceanic. The taste of the best canned clam sauce should transport you to an idyllic seaside, not a barge. I also looked for balanced garlicky flavor (although you will find a not-so-garlicky pick on this list, too) and real, not-super-rubbery clams. I also assessed cling. I wanted clam sauce that held onto the noodles.                          

In the end, only two canned clam sauces made the cut—both white. If you have a recommendation for good canned red clam sauce, shout it out in the comments. (And if you’re looking for other store-bought pasta sauce recs, check out our rankings of the best jarred marinara, the best jarred alfredo, and the best jarred pesto.)

Best canned clam sauce to buy

Best Not Garlicky

Cento White Clam Sauce

Albertsons

Points for packaging! Cento canned clam sauce looks great. It’s a nice can. It’s definitely the brand I would reach for if I was judging by design alone. That said, it’s really only just okay. So, why is it on this list? Because not everyone loves garlic as much as I do. This is the best canned clam sauce to buy if you are somewhat sensitive to garlic flavor. It’s pleasantly briny with good chunks of clam. It’s totally acceptable.

Credit: Liv Averett / Albertsons

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Progresso White Clam Sauce with Garlic & Herbs

Walmart

This is the best canned white clam sauce we tasted. Does it compare to homemade clam sauce (even made with canned clams)? I’ll be honest, it’s still not as good. But you don’t have to chop anything or hunt down seasonings in your cabinet. All you have to do is open up a can and mix it with hot fettuccine or linguine, and ta-da! Dinner. It’s nicely briny and really garlicky, which helps overpower any flavors that might come off as too “can-like.” The clam bits are huge, but they’re present enough to let you know you’re eating clam sauce. The real highlight is how oily and decadent this sauce is, and it’s also super savory. Many of the canned clam sauces we tried were bland as heck. This has plenty of favor. And that’s what makes it the best canned clam sauce to buy.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Other canned clam sauce brands we tried: 

Dellalo White Clam Sauce, Flora Clam Sauce White, Bumble Bee, Cento Red

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